August 21, 2017 1:35pm EDTAugust 21, 2017 1:35pm EDTWeek 2 of the NFL preseason has passed, and we have updates on the notable injuries and performances from players like Alvin Kamara, Martvavis Bryant, Jordan Matthews, DeAndre Hopkins, and more who could have an impact on your fantasy football draft.Alvin Kamara(Getty Images)

We're halfway through the preseason and inching closer and closer to Week 1 of 2017 season. By now, fantasy football drafts are scheduled and coming up soon, and you've got a ton of homework to do as you try to catch up on all the preseason Week 2 action while updating your cheat sheets, rankings, and sleeper lists.

Fantasy Football Sleeper: Alvin Kamara continues to shine for Saints

Saints coach Sean Payton continues to show love toward rookie running back Alvin Kamara, and he put on a show against the Chargers on Sunday. Kamara rushed five times for 61 yards, including a 50-yard TD, and caught one pass for 22 yards. In New Orleans' first preseason game, he rushed five times for 35 yards.

It will still tough for Kamara to find solid playing time with both Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson ahead of him on the depth chart, but he does have potential value in deeper leagues and in PPR leagues. He could also be a good candidate for a late-round draft-and-stash until he eventually finds his way into regular playing time, especially if he keeps up his strong performances.

Le'Veon Bell holdout expected to end before Week 1

It wasn't expected that Bell would miss any regular season games because of his contract situation, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Bell will return soon after the Week 3 preseason game. Because of this, Bell will most likely not play in the last preseason game, but he'll be fresh and ready to go come Week 1 of the regular season.

Despite the preseason absence, Bell is a sure-fire top-two pick in fantasy.

Anquan Boldin retires; Jordan Matthews injury update

After 13 days with the Bills, Boldin announced his retirement. He scored eight touchdowns with the Lions last year, and with the Sammy Watkins trade to the Rams, it was expected his fantasy value would increase. The same was true for Matthews when he was traded to the Bills, but he suffered a chip fracture on his sternum on the first day of practice.

On Monday, Matthews talked to reporters, saying he is confident he'll return for Week 1. His official status is week-to-week, which isn't an exact measure of certainty for him to return before the season starts. Matthews is the expected No. 1 WR for the Bills, but if he can't return or returns at less than 100 percent, rookie Zay Jones will most likely be the main guy in Buffalo.

Is LeGarrette Blount's value dropping?

Blount posted another poor performance in the Eagles' second preseason game, rushing nine times for 17 yards. It's been reported throughout training camp that Blount has been unimpressive, and the preseason games only further solidify that observation. One report has gone as far as to suggest that it wouldn't be a shock if Blount gets cut from the Eagles.

Blount is coming off one of his best seasons with the Patriots, posting career-highs in touchdowns (18), rushing yards (1,161) and carries (299). Blount isn't a perfect fit in the Eagles offensive scheme, and it was already expected he would drop off from the 2016 season. It would be surprising if he was cut, but the talk about it adds value to the other running backs like Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement, and Donnel Pumphrey.

DeAndre Hopkins injury update

Hopkins has now missed over a week of practice and a preseason game due to a hand injury he suffered on Aug. 9. The injury isn't expected to be serious, and he should still be ready for Week 1, but it's definitely a situation fantasy owners should continue to monitor.

Jaguars undecided between Blake Bortles, Chad Henne

It was another poor showing for Bortles in Jacksonville's second preseason game, and the Jaguars opened this week's practices without an unofficial depth chart, instead putting question marks at the quarterback position. In addition, a teammate told reporters that the first team reps were split "dead even" between Bortles and Henne on Sunday.

It remains to be seen who gets the starting job, but it appears Henne might be the slight favorite. For the receivers like Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee, it may be better if Henne is the starter. Either way, it's best to keep monitoring this situation.

Jeremy Hill, Joe Mixon share in first team reps

Jeremy Hill got the start in the second preseason game for the Bengals, but Joe Mixon popped in a couple times in both passing and rushing downs. Hill rushed six times for 28 yards, and Mixon had six carries for 16 yards and one catch for 15 yards.

Hill is expected to be the nominal starter in Week 1, but Mixon still appears to have a much higher upside, especially in PPR leagues. Even as the second man in the depth chart, Mixon will likely get more touches based on his receiving skills in addition to his rushing chances, but there's a good chance Hill will remain in around the goal line. We slot them four spots apart in our RB rankings.

Rex Burkhead making a case to be Patriots starting RB

Expected starter Mike Gillislee hasn't practiced at all in the past two weeks of training camp because of a hamstring injury, and Rex Burkhead has really impressed in his absence. Burkhead rushed seven times for 20 yards and caught three passes for 50 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown from Tom Brady, in the second preseason game. Burkhead operated as the feature back, with James White and Dion Lewis following behind.

It's still Gillislee's job until he loses it, but Burkhead could steal value and make it more difficult to figure out the handcuff situation. Burkhead doesn't have much standalone value until he gets the starting role.

Martavis Bryant suspension update

Bryant is still technically suspended for the regular season, but he made his preseason debut against the Falcons this past week. He grabbed two of three targets for 20 yards.

It's still undetermined if he will be able to play in the regular season yet, but most expect him to be. He's our No. 26 WR because of the risk involved in drafting him, but his upside is that of a WR1.

Tarik Cohen looking like Jordan Howard's handcuff

You might remember Cohen as the guy who does backflips while catching footballs, but the NC A&T product can do much more, showcasing it in the Bears second preseason game. He rushed 11 times for 77 yards, including three rushes over 15 yards.

He's still firmly behind Howard and probably will end up behind Jeremy Langford, but Cohen is someone you should keep a mindful eye on throughout the season.

Will Doug Martin start when he returns from suspension?

Martin scored a touchdown and rushed for 30 yards on five carries, adding two catches for 11 yards, in the Buccaneers second preseason game. On Monday, head coach Dirk Koetter didn't commit to Martin being the No. 1 running back when he returns in Week 4. Currently, he is suspended the first three games this year after violating the NFL's drug policy.

Although his head coach hasn't said that Martin will get the start, it's still expected he'll have the role barring Charles Sims or Jacquizz Rodgers really impressing in those three weeks.

Marqise Lee injury update

Lee told reporters he expects to be back for Week 1. It was originally thought that Lee had a high ankle sprain, which has a four-to-six week timetable and put his Week 1 status in doubt. Now, Lee is out of a walking boot and walking around without crutches -- a good sign that he can make it back for the Jaguars' season opener.

We have Lee as our No. 61 WR and also one of our sleeper picks at the position.

Cam Newton injury news

Newton has started to up his workload and was throwing during Monday's practice. This is a good sign that he will be ready to start for regular season opener. It's still unclear if he'll play in any preseason action, but the Panthers still believe he is on track to start Week 1.

Jordan Reed injury update

Reed was activated from the PUP list on Sunday. He's been dealing with a toe injury, but now that he is activated, he can begin practicing again. If he goes through the week without injury, he may get some action in the third preseason game for the Redskins.

Cooper Kupp continues to make strong sleeper case

The Rams' third-round pick shined and showed nice chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff, hauling in six of seven targets for 70 yards and a touchdown. Even playing opposite of Sammy Watkins, Goff turned to Kupp as his go-to receiver.

Kupp is also one of our sleeper WR picks, and he could become a legitimate playmaker like he was at Eastern Washington, where he set the all-time FCS record in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

James Conner impresses as Le'Veon Bell's potential handcuff

The reserve running back is a fan-favorite in Pittsburgh, and he displayed some talent against the Falcons' backups. He rushed 20 times for 98 yards and caught one of four targets for three yards. Despite the numbers, Connor still showed some signs of struggle, dropping two passes and struggling against the second-team defense before shining against the third team.

Fantasy-wise, Connor doesn't have any value unless something should happen to Bell. Fitzgerald Toussaint is currently listed as the second-string back and figures to play the DeAngelo Williams role of last year.